GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS

Gestational Diabetes During Pregnancy: What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it also comes with certain health challenges. One such challenge is Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) .

A condition that affects many pregnant women in India and around the world. With timely testing and proper care, it can be managed well.

What Is Gestational Diabetes?

Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin to manage blood sugar levels properly. It usually begins during pregnancy and, in most cases, goes away after delivery.

Worldwide, 1 in every 10 pregnancies is associated with diabetes, and 90% of those cases are gestational diabetes. In India, the situation is even more concerning is the rate of GDM is estimated at 10 to 14%, and may rise to 20% in the coming years. That means 1 in every 5 pregnant women in India could develop GDM.

Why Should You Take It Seriously?

Unmanaged GDM can harm both the mother and the baby.

Risks to the mother include high blood pressure, excessive fluid around the baby (polyhydramnios), prolonged or obstructed labour, caesarean section, and postpartum bleeding.

Risks to the baby include premature birth, abnormal birth weight (too large or too small), low blood sugar at birth, breathing difficulties, and in serious cases, stillbirth.

Women who have had GDM are also at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life and so are their children.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Testing is simple and can be done at your nearest health centre. As per India's National Guidelines, every pregnant woman should be tested twice:

At the first antenatal (ANC) visit — as early as possible in pregnancy.

At 24–28 weeks of pregnancy — if the first test was normal.

The test involves drinking 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water and then checking your blood sugar 2 hours later. You do not need to fast before this test.

If your blood sugar reading is 140 mg/dL or above, you are diagnosed with GDM and treatment begins immediately.

How Is GDM Treated?

Treatment follows two steps:

Step 1: Diet Plan (Medical Nutrition Therapy)

Every woman diagnosed with GDM is first started on a special diet plan for 2 weeks. This is called Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). 

The diet focuses on:

Eating 3 small meals and 2–3 snacks spread throughout the day instead of 2–3 large meals.

Choosing complex carbohydrates like whole grains (ragi, jowar, bajra, oats) over refined foods like white bread, maida, or sugary items.

Including plenty of vegetables, pulses (dal), and low-fat dairy in every meal.

Avoiding sweets, juices, fried foods, and junk food completely during pregnancy.

Drinking water, buttermilk, or soups instead of sugary drinks.

After 2 weeks on this diet, blood sugar is tested again. If it is below 120 mg/dL, the diet is continued with regular monitoring.

Step 2: Insulin Injections

If blood sugar remains at or above 120 mg/dL even after following the diet, insulin injections are added to the treatment. These are safe during pregnancy and do not affect the baby. Oral diabetes tablets are not given during pregnancy as they can harm the baby.

Care During and After Delivery

Women with well-controlled blood sugar can deliver at their usual health facility. However, if blood sugar remains uncontrolled, delivery at a higher-level hospital with specialist care is recommended. Routine delivery before 39 weeks is not advised for GDM pregnancies.

After delivery, your baby's blood sugar is monitored closely. Early breastfeeding is strongly encouraged as it helps prevent low blood sugar in the newborn.

For the mother, blood sugar usually returns to normal after delivery. However, a follow-up test (75g glucose test) is done at 6 weeks after delivery to confirm this.

CONCLUSION

Gestational diabetes is common, but it is manageable. The key is timely testing at every antenatal visit, following a healthy diet, and taking insulin if your doctor advises. With proper care, you and your baby can stay safe and healthy throughout the pregnancy.